Dictionary.com

jealous

[ jel-uhs ]
/ ˈdʒɛl əs /
See synonyms for jealous on Thesaurus.com

adjective

feeling resentment against someone because of that person's rivalry, success, or advantages (often followed by of): He was jealous of his rich brother.
feeling resentment because of another's success, advantage, etc. (often followed by of): He was jealous of his brother's wealth.
characterized by or proceeding from suspicious fears or envious resentment: a jealous rage; jealous intrigues.
inclined to or troubled by suspicions or fears of rivalry, unfaithfulness, etc., as in love or aims: a jealous husband.
solicitous or vigilant in maintaining or guarding something: The American people are jealous of their freedom.
Bible. intolerant of unfaithfulness or rivalry: The Lord is a jealous God.

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Origin of jealous

1175–1225; Middle English jelous, gelos<Old French gelos (French jaloux) <Vulgar Latin *zēlōsus, equivalent to Late Latin zēl(us) zeal + ōsus-ose1

OTHER WORDS FROM jealous

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH jealous

enviable, envious, jealous
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to jealous

skeptical, envious, protective, anxious, suspicious, apprehensive, possessive, resentful, intolerant, attentive, covetous, demanding, doubting, grasping, green-eyed, guarded, invidious, jaundiced, questioning, rival

Example sentences from the Web for jealous

British Dictionary definitions for jealous

jealous
/ (ˈdʒɛləs) /

adjective

suspicious or fearful of being displaced by a rivala jealous lover
(often postpositive and foll by of) resentful (of) or vindictive (towards), esp through envya child jealous of his brother
(often postpositive and foll by of) possessive and watchful in the maintenance or protection (of)jealous of one's reputation
characterized by or resulting from jealousy
obsolete, or biblical demanding exclusive loyaltya jealous God
an obsolete word for zealous

Derived forms of jealous

jealously, adverbjealousness, noun

Word Origin for jealous

C13: from Old French gelos, from Medieval Latin zēlōsus, from Late Latin zēlus emulation, jealousy, from Greek zēlos zeal
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012